Topic 5 Flashcards
Explain neurochemicals and diet?
Low serotonin will reduce hormones provided to the body, leading to aggressive pattern of behavior and greater risk-taking, but can be balanced with high serotonin foods, e.g. oily fish, eggs and nuts.
What is a theory that links to neurochemicals and diet?
Genetic theory- XYY syndrome, males have higher testosterone levels, which is commonly high in prisoners, if balanced can manger behavior.
Is the neurochemicals and diet policy effective?
Virkkunen and Schonthaler found that violent offenders had a lower serotonin level, which high serotonin diets can treat, so prisons have implemented the good health model.
Explain Eugenics
A science that tries to improve the human race by only letting those with desirable characteristics become parents.
What biological theory links to the policy of eugenics?
Lombroso believed criminality is inherited, and atavistic individuals should not have children so that criminals are not born.
Is the policy of eugenics effective?
Osborne and West found that the sons of criminals and non-criminals had fathers with more criminal convictions for the sons of criminals.
Its ineffective because part of the Nazi regime used this for racial purity , that placed the Arian race as the superior race.
Explain the death penalty
Being sentenced to death for committing a crime like treason, large-scale drug trafficking and serious sexual assault, which is enforced in China and the USA.
What biological theory links to the death penalty?
Lombroso- if criminals are killed, no more will be born, it deters people from committing crime and stops reoffending.
Is the death penalty policy effective?
Effective at stopping reoffending because once used, offenders die. Mostly ineffective because it doesn’t deter crime as there is no evidence that its anymore effective in reducing crime than life imprisonment.
Explain what psychoanalysis is ?
A form of therapy where patients verbalise their thoughts and aims from the unconscious, repressed mind- done through free association; the patient discusses what’s on their mind in childhood trauma.
What individualistic theory links to psychoanalysis?
Freud believes crime is rooted in a weak or harsh superego, psychoanalysis will balance the unconscious mind and stop criminality.
Is the psychoanalysis theory effective?
Good as evidence suggests it works well as cognitive behavior therapy, however does more harm than good because it forces people to talk about their traumatic pasts.
What is a Token economy ?
A reward system used within prisons to encourage good behavior from offenders by giving them tokens as rewards for doing good, like money, time out of their cell, food other privileges.
What individualistic theory can be linked to a token economy?
Bandura’s- SLT’s vicarious reinforcement: if you see a peer get rewarded for good behavior, you act good as well. It motivates prisoners to behave appropriately.
Is the token economy policy effective?
Good for the short term shown to be effective for adults and young offenders, but bad for the long term, as once they leave prison, they no longer have a reward system.
What are newspaper campaigns?
Help shape law by mobilising public opinion so the gov takes action.
e.g. Justice for Michael
What is an individual campaign?
started by an individual person who feels strongly about a particular issue to take action themselves.
e.g. Ann Ming
What is a pressure group campaign?
Organisations that try to influence government policies in the interest of a particular cause by gaining public support and putting pressure on politicians.
e.g. Protection against stalking
What was Sarah’s campaign about?
To change the law to allow parents/guardians to request info from police about individuals who have criminal records for child sex offences. Introduced the Child sex offender disclosure scheme.
Who were the key parties involved in the Sarah’s law campaign?
News of the world- Name and shame 50 people, promised to reveal all pedophiles in Britain, which changed people’s views.
How did it change policies and laws?
Petition of 700,0000 signatures to the Home Secretary
Name and shame
What was justice for Michael campaign about?
Change the law of ‘year and a day’- victims of an assault that lived for a year and a day, their attackers could not be tried for manslaughter/murder.
Michael Gibson died after a coma of 22 months as a result of an assault in 92.
Key parties involved in the justice for Michael campaign?
